After moving into our new (existing) home in August 2018 we knew that we wanted to re-do our two story fireplace. After looking at the "big box" stores, we realized that what they had to offer looked like a cross between a marshmallow and a piece of styrofoam. We also realized that we didn't have enough zeros in our bank account to warrant a stone
...Read MoreRead more about After moving into our new (existing) mason's work with real stone. After a few searches on the web we discovered GenStone. We ordered a couple of different samples from them and settled on Kenai. The texture and appearance looks unbelievably realistic. It's very light and easy to cut.
If you are remotely serious about a stone look makeover for your house, give GenStone serious contemplation. Ashley was very helpful in helping calculate the correct amount of material. If you have a table saw, it helps cut the long panels very effectively. In the installation videos, they show using a skill saw to make some of the cuts. Yes it works but the easiest tool to use opposite the table saw is a reciprocating / jig saw. It's light and easy to handle vs a heavier skill saw.
I have never attempted a project of this scope before but in very short order, I got the hang of it. Make a cut or two, fit it into the pattern and put 2-3 screws right into the sheetrock. Done. Next. I'm telling you, from 3 feet away, you cannot tell it's not natural stone. One last thing, don't wig out if you order a sample and look at it and say like my wife did "that's not the same color as what they show on the website" because the larger pieces and panels do reflect the actual color. They can't ship entire panels as samples. Just find the texture and color you like and go with it. My entire project was a TWO STORY fireplace and it cost me only $1600 and $300 of that was shipping. Good luck finding a stone mason to do the same size project for less than $7-10K. You can do it! And even if you don't think you can, call me, fly me out and I'll do it for you. :-) Read LessRead less about After moving into our new (existing)
